Dual Diagnosis Treatment and the Challenges Individuals May Face

Those who have mental disorders and abuse substances will experience a higher level of symptoms of their conditions.

It is very common for those with mental disorders, such as bipolar depression or generalized anxiety disorder, to self-medicate with substances, thus creating an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

It is also very likely for those who abuse such substances to develop mental disorders that they did not already have as a result of their abuse. When an addict has mental disorders paired with addiction, this is called a dual diagnosis, a co-occurring disorder, or comorbidity. In fact, over eight million people a year are experiencing co-occurring disorders.

Those who have mental disorders and abuse substances will experience a higher level of symptoms of their conditions. The end result of abusing many substances, or the situations we put ourselves in while under the influence of substances, may be a mental disorder.

Some Mental Disorders that Can Come from Substance Abuse:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Often times, when we abuse substances, we put ourselves in the way of traumatizing situations such as physically abusive relationships, or associating with violent people. These traumatic experiences can result in post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

• Anxiety Disorders: People will often use substances to escape their anxiety; however, the use of many substances will actually cause anxiety because of the way they affect the central nervous system.

• Depression: Addicts will usually become addicted to substances because they want to use something on the outside to change the way they feel on the inside; however, drugs, especially alcohol, change the chemical balances in the brain, which will cause depression. Alcohol is classified as a depressant, so if you are already depressed, it will perpetuate your grief.

This is like adding water to an already sinking ship. Methamphetamine and cocaine affect the brain’s natural ability to create the feeling of happiness or pleasure, including the brain’s ability to create dopamine, which is the “feel-good” chemical. Without these drugs, an addict will feel depressed after abusing these stimulants.

If you, or someone you love have a co-occurring disorder, there is help. Many drug rehabilitation facilities offer dual diagnosis treatment. A good dual diagnosis treatment center will offer cognitive-behavioral therapy, which will help you to learn how to adjust your thoughts and behavior to successfully live a drug-free life with mental disorders.

The treatment center should also offer medication adjustment services, behavioral modification therapy, as well as teach coping skills to deal with stress and disappointing life situations without the use of substances.